INTRODUCTION What is faith? Is it a religion? Is it a feeling? Is it a leap in the dark? Is it logical? Is it a divisible entity? How can we get more of it? How can we get it in the first place? Why do some people have it, and some do not? I hope to expound and hopefully answer these and other questions about faith in this sermon series. Although the world juggles the word “faith” around in several arenas for discussion (faith in people and things, fate, baseless hope, etc.), I will focus specifically on our faith in God in this series.

FAITH AND BELIEF Although the words “faith” and “belief” appear to be, for the most part, synonymous in the Bible (although some would disagree), our modern English definitions yield some variation between the two. Let me summarize the differences in our language. One may define belief as the acceptance of some fact (or lie), whether or not we act upon it. For example, we may believe that Abraham Lincoln was the U.S. President during the Civil War, but it will probably never change how we act or live. We may believe in the veracity of a mathematical formula, but we may never employ it in our lives outside of math class. The word faith may at times be considered the stronger of the two. It is usually a positive development, although someone could put their faith in an empty promise or distrustful person. For example, Heidi has faith in her wayward son even though he has lied to her repeatedly in the past. Nevertheless faith usually means we place our “trust” in someone or something.In reference to God, if we have genuine faith, then we subsequently place our trust, our confidence in God. In other words, we will speak, act, feel, and live according to God’s will. We will follow Christ. We will spend time with a God we love and trust. His ways will become our habits. His thoughts will transfer into our own mind-set. His feelings will become our emotions. His plans will become our goals. We begin to think as He thinks and talk as He talks.

ASSURANCE In church circles we oftentimes make reference to faith as a word synonymous to religion, i.e. “this is my faith.” We also may speak of faith in terms of a measurable “mass” of something that we need at a specific time, like in a desperate situation, “I just need more faith.” The Scriptures actually supply us with a very simple, yet powerful definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 (TLB), “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Let us dissect this verse in order to more clearly understand faith.“The confident assurance that something we want is going to happen.” This is not a “shot in the dark,” i.e. a blind hope in something or someone with no basis. The word in this verse translated “assurance” is the Greek word “huperstasis,” which is comprised of two words meaning “to stand under” or “support.” Faith is the substance that gives us a concrete, stable, viable foundation for what we expect to receive or happen. It is like “standing under” a guaranteed agreement such as a title or deed. In other words, we have a legitimate claim to it. We are entitled to it (“Helps Word-studies”). In spiritual terms, we live and act and hope and expect certain things because the Lord has promised them to us. We trust in His Word as a guarantee. We plan and execute our lives fully expecting God to fulfill His promises. Through Christ Jesus we understand that we are entitled to certain things due to God’s mercy and grace. Therefore, if we truly believe in God’s promise of eternal life for all who follow Christ, then we will live our daily lives upon this earth wholly devoted to God. And we will do this despite trials and tribulation and suffering knowing that we will inherit a much better life to come…eternally! This totally changes how we view the world and our place in it and our goals in life. This is one example of faith. On the other hand, if we simply (and solely) mentally accept (for the most part) the notion of an existence of heaven, then we would probably assert that we “believe” in heaven. However, if we do not then proceed to utilize that truth as an “underpinning” or foundation to the way we live our lives on this earth, then it would not be considered genuine faith.

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